Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (日本学術振興会, Nihon Gakujutsu Shinkō Kai, JSPS) is an Independent Administrative Institution in Japan, established for the purpose of contributing to the advancement of science in all fields of the natural and social sciences and the humanities.[1]

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
Nihon Gakujutsu Shinkō Kai (Gakushin)
Agency overview
Formed1932
JurisdictionGovernment of Japan
HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
Annual budget2011 fiscal year ¥334.7 billion
Agency executive
Parent agencyMinistry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Websitejsps.go.jp

History

The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science was founded in 1932 as a non-profit foundation through an endowment granted by Emperor Shōwa. JSPS became a quasi-governmental organization in 1967 under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture (Monbusho), and after 2001 under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. In 2003, JSPS entered a new phase with its conversion to an Independent Administrative Institution. This new administrative configuration is intended to become a step towards improving the effectiveness and efficiency of JSPS's management, which in turn should help to improve the quality of the services which are offered to individual researchers, universities, and research institutes.[1]

Timeline

The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science has expanded and evolved over time:[1]

  • 1932 - JSPS is established as a non-profit foundation, endowed by Emperor Shōwa
  • 1933 - First University-Industry Cooperative Research Committee is organized
  • 1950 - First issue of Gakujutsu Geppo (Japanese Scientific Monthly) is published
  • 1959 - JSPS fellowship program for young Japanese scientists (Shorei Kenkyuin) is inaugurated
  • 1960 - JSPS program for inviting foreign researchers to Japan is commenced
  • 1963 - US-Japan Cooperative Science Program is established
  • 1965 - JSPS Research Station in Nairobi is opened
  • 1967 - JSPS is re-established as a quasi-governmental organization under the "Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Act"
  • 1976 - Cooperative programs with Southeast Asian countries are commenced
  • 1985 - JSPS fellowship program for young Japanese scientists (Tokubetsu Kenkyuin) is begun; the JSPS International Prize for Biology is inaugurated
  • 1988 - JSPS program of granting postdoctoral fellowships to foreign researchers is inaugurated
  • 1990 - JSPS Liaison Office in Washington, D.C. is opened
  • 1992 - International Cooperative Program for Advanced Research is inaugurated
  • 1994 - Inter-Research Centers Cooperative Program is inaugurated
  • 1995 - JSPS Fellows Plaza is opened
  • 1996 - Research for the Future Program is inaugurated
  • 1998 - Japan-Australia Research Cooperative Program is inaugurated
  • 1999 - Award of Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research is begun; Fureai Science Program is inaugurated
  • 2000 - JSPS Award for Eminent Scientists is inaugurated
  • 2001 - JSPS Liaison Office in Stockholm is opened
  • 2002 - 21st Century COE Program is inaugurated leading to the "Global COE (Centers of Excellence) Program"[2]
  • 2003 - Research Center for Science system is established; JSPS is re-established as an independent administrative institution.

Programs

The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science plays a pivotal role in the administration of a wide spectrum of Japan's scientific and academic programs. In world, it is the highest amount of funding available to postdoctoral fellows. Over this 70-year period, JSPS has initiated, implemented and administered an array of domestic and international scientific programs. JSPS's operation is supported in large part by annual subsidies from the Japanese Government. Its main functions are:[1]

  • To foster young researchers,
  • To promote international scientific cooperation,
  • To award Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research,
  • To implement the Research for the Future Program,
  • To support scientific cooperation between the academic community and industry, and
  • To collect and distribute information on scientific research activities.

Publications

A number of publications are made available under the imprimatur of JSPS:[1]

  • Gakujutsu Geppo (Japanese Scientific Monthly), a monthly magazine containing scientific readings and articles on Japanese science policy and on scientific activities and research trends in governmental and academic organizations in Japan.
  • Information re: Japanese universities, research institutions, and their various research activities.
  • Scientific books.

See also

References
  1. JSPS, web page (in English)
  2. "JSPS -Global COE Program". Retrieved 27 June 2013.
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